Troop G Weekly Report 09/28/2020 - 10/04/2020

On 09/29/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped a male operator of Lewiston on the ME Turnpike northbound in Gray.  His registration was found to be Suspended for Tolls.  His vehicle was towed.  He was not charged and will be following up with MTA and BMV.

On 09/29/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped a male operator of Turner on the ME Turnpike northbound in Gray.  His registration was found to be Suspended for Tolls.  His vehicle was towed.  He was not charged and will be following up with MTA and BMV.

On 09/29/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Tyler Dery (36) of Auburn on the ME Turnpike northbound in Gray.  He was charged with Failing to Register Motor Vehicle Expired More Than 150 Days.

On 09/30/2020, at approximately 0127 hours, Tr. Davis responded to a report of a tractor trailer unit rolled over in the area of mile marker 77 northbound on the Turnpike in Auburn. The operator, David Hand (28) of New Jersey, fell asleep and drove off the roadway to the right, striking the guardrail before rolling over and down the embankment. Hand was able to get out of the truck on his own accord and was transported to Central Maine Medical Center for further evaluation; his injuries were non-life threatening. Lewiston Fire Department and United Ambulance Service responded. The right lane of the Turnpike was shut down for an extended amount of time. Sgt. Wilkinson, Tr. LiBritz, and Tr. Murray also assisted.

On 09/30/2020, Tr. Paradis responded to a complaint of a wrong way driver traveling northbound in the southbound lane around mile marker 58 on the Maine Turnpike in Cumberland. Several callers stated that the pickup struck several vehicles just north of the Cumberland service plaza. Upon arrival, Troopers discovered there were five vehicles involved in the crash. A witness reported the pickup left the Cumberland service plaza and drove north in the southbound lane, striking the vehicles within a half mile of the plaza. The operator of the pickup was a 73-year-old male who was not believed to be impaired. Both the operator of the pickup and another driver received minor injuries. No charges are expected at this time. Sgt. Porter and Tr. Keim also assisted.

On 09/30/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Volkan Karayastik (25) on the ME Turnpike northbound in Portland.  He was charged with Criminal Speed for traveling more than 30 miles over the posted work zone speed limit.

On 10/01/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Curtis Devaul (40) of New Gloucester on the ME Turnpike southbound in Gray.  He was charged with Operating after Suspension.

On 10/01/2020, Cpl. Cote stopped Austin Collar (24) of Lewiston on the ME Turnpike southbound in Gray.  He was charged with Operating after Suspension.  His registration was also Suspended but no charges were brought forward.  He will be following up with MTA and BMV.

On 10/02/2020, Cpl. Cote investigated the unattended death of an adult male truck driver from Ft. Worth, TX who was found in his tractor trailer unit on the ME Turnpike at the Cumberland Service Plaza (southbound).  It appears he had passed away from a medical condition and foul play is not suspected.  The Medical Examiner’s Office is involved and will be attempting to learn his cause of death. MCU South Sgt. Harriman, Det. Rose, CMV Tr. Northrup, Cpl. Rogers, Tr. Keim, and Sgt. Porter also assisted.

On 10/03/2020, Tr. Keim was dispatched to MM 97 NB in Litchfield for a vehicle that spun out and went into the median. Justin Mitchell (32) of Portland was charged with OAS and Violation of Conditions of Release.

On 10/03/2020, Tr. Paradis, Cpl. Cloutier, and Sgt. Burton responded to assist Troop B at the Portland protest as members of a quick response team.

On 10/04/2020, at 2250 hours, Tr. Vanadestine stopped Skylar Waller from Rhode Island for operating 103 MPH in the posted construction zone in Portland.

Lt. Baker, Sgt. Burton, Sgt. Doughty, Sgt. Wilkinson, Cpl. Physic, and Tr. LiBritz represented Troop G for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics of Maine.  The team volunteered their time to raise support and log miles to create awareness for this great cause. The virtual event was from August 14 through September 30, 2020. The initial goal was to cover 109 miles, representing the coverage area for the Maine Turnpike. The team excelled and successfully logged a total of 444 miles! Not only was this a great way to give back to the community, but it also encouraged health and wellness among the Troop.